Bessbrook Model Village Project Unveils New Website

Lights...Camera…Action as the Bessbrook Model Village Project unveils a brand new website and six fabulous short films created as a result of work on this Living History Archive.

This Heritage Lottery Fund project has been engaging with the local community over the last year to better interpret Bessbrook’s heritage and build a picture of the village that will cross generations.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “Bessbrook has a rich tapestry of history that is at risk of being lost in the digital age. This project has offered us a fantastic opportunity to record and preserve this element of our heritage. I was delighted to be part of the project and I would like to thank all the people who have been involved.”

Sheila McClelland, Heritage Lottery Fund NI Committee Member added, “We’re delighted that money raised by National Lottery players could fund this engaging local heritage project. As an early Quaker village Bessbrook has a fascinating heritage and still retains so much of the original buildings and layout. This project has brought that heritage to life in an imaginative and creative way and has involved lots of local people in exploring and sharing their heritage. We congratulate the project team on all their hard work.”

Excitement is now building as the project nears completion with a celebration event that will reveal the end result of the months of hard work. The celebration is to be held on Thursday 12 October at 7pm in Bessbrook Townhall. The premier of the six short films will be an opportunity to view these exciting mixes of fact and fiction, drama and documentary that so many people in the community have contributed to.

People will also be able to see photos that have been included in an online historical archive which forms a virtual museum of artefacts from Bessbrook and the surrounding area. Come along and enjoy a chance to look back at how this fascinating village grew and developed over the ages and find out how this history is to be presented in the social media age. All are welcome.

More information about this project is available at www.bessbrook.org.